November 20 Discussion Questions-Julia
Q: Do you think that player/participant agency is an important factor for the success and popularity of ARGs? Can you think of any negative factors associated with this agency?
Q: Do you think augmented reality games are here to stay? Or do you think it is just a fade?
Q: Why do you think games are a good vehicle for exploring collaborative intelligence?
Q: Why do you think we are seeing an increase in ARGs? In relation to VR, which do you think offers a more immersive experience?
Reflecting on SEED, it was explained that the participants went through a camp, that took them from the role of players to designers. They learned how to design board games and ARGs about serious social topics. These included gang violence, teen pregnancy, and gender discrimination in the workplace. This helps in proving how ARGs can operate as a cultural probe. I had also read an article by Anne Wollenberg, where she talks about the premise of World Without Oil, an alternate reality game (ARG), which “asked players to react to a plausible vision of the future and find ways in which to solve it.” This was in regards to a possible near-future global oil shortage.
Q: I believe these examples highlight alternate reality’s potential for use as an educational or change-making tool. Do you believe ARGs can act as an alternative way to play with and/or solve real-world problems?
Q:In regards to ARGs, Jeff Hull, creator of the Jejune Institute, states “I hate them. They’re two-dimensional. They’re usually marketing material. They don’t have any higher ambition. I don’t think that ARGs have ever really challenged people.” Do you agree or disagree?